Guest Cathy Raff on Women Entrepreneurs - The Secrets of Success

Cathy Raff, Friendship Advocate, Founder and President of My Stone Company, was born in Florida and grew up in Columbus, Georgia. She graduated with a BA Honors in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, with the emphasis of her studies in photojournalism. She went on to study commercial photography at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Cathy moved to Israel where she has been for the past 24 years. On a vacation to South Africa with her husband, Cathy found her true calling. She stumbled upon a Tiger's Eye semiprecious gemstone that changed colors as it turned in the light. She loved these stones and brought some home with her. Since Cathy suffered from Ulcerative Colitis and struggled to have children, the stone became a metaphor for how Cathy views life, friendship, and giving. Just like the Tiger's Eye changes colors, so too Cathy realized that life is about the choices one makes and that one can always find positive in each situation. Cathy also feels strongly these Friendship Stones remind us that it is the people in our life, which is most important. To be a good friend we must give. Cathy is "addicted to giving" and believes it feels better to give than to receive. After giving a mother-friend some for her children and hearing of its impact, she decided to share it with other friends and spontaneously to those that touched her life. This was the beginning of The Friendship Stone.com and her company, My Stone Company, which promotes friendship, positivity and giving. To complete her circle of giving, Cathy created her company as a give-back to help the communities in South Africa from where the stone originate. Prior to starting My Stone Company, Cathy was a highly successful commercial photographer specializing in food and portrait photography.